Utah Valley returns home for its final three games of the regular season, starting on Saturday against the UTRGV Vaqueros at Clyde Field. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. MDT and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

The Wolverines (2-6-5, 1-2-2 WAC) are reaching a pivotal stretch of their schedule, as they compete for a spot in the WAC Tournament. Entering Saturday, Utah Valley sits in sixth place in the nine-team WAC, with the top six teams qualifying for this year's tournament in Las Vegas. Two of the Wolverines' final three games are against teams currently behind them, including UTRGV (4-8-1, 1-4-1 WAC) and Grand Canyon (6-6-2, 1-3-1 WAC), whom Utah Valley faces in the regular season finale.

Also at stake on Saturday is a chance for the Wolverines to extend their unbeaten streak at Clyde Field to 10-straight games. Utah Valley's streak currently sits at nine games (7 wins, 2 draws) dating back to the start of the 2022 season. The nine-game unbeaten run is a program record, surpassing the 2016 team's eight-game win streak at home to start the season.

LAST TIME OUT

Utah Valley drew 1-1 with UNLV on the road on Sunday. The Wolverines struck first in the 3rd minute when Alex Fritcher headed home Nik Kizerian's cross off a free kick between the corner flag and the penalty area. The Rebels would equalize in the 29th minute, and would ride the stellar goalkeeping of Hugo Lemos, who picked up 7 saves. Utah Valley was without captain Alejandro Silva, who was serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

SERIES HISTORY VS UTRGV

Utah Valley holds a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series history that dates back to 2015. UTRGV is one of two current WAC members that Utah Valley has never faced in the WAC Tournament, along with Utah Tech. Utah Valley kept UTRGV out of last year's WAC Tournament by beating CBU on the last day of the season. The Wolverines won last year's meeting 2-0, with Abel Mendoza scoring his first collegiate goal for the game-winner.

ABOUT THE VAQUEROS

UTRGV comes into Saturday's game riding a five-game winless streak since picking up a WAC season-opening win at home against UNLV. The Vaqueros hold a 1-6-1 record on the road, and have been outscored 20-10 in those games, with the lone win coming at in-state rival Incarnate Word. Houston Christian grad transfer Bryant Farkarlun is among the team leaders in goals with three. UTRGV is tied for the NCAA lead in PK goals, with a perfect 6-for-6 mark. 

SILVA CLIMBING LEADERBOARDS

Junior MF Alejandro Silva is moving up the UVU leaderboards in numerous categories. Silva ranks third all-time with 16 career assists, and seventh all-time with 32 career points (8 goals, 16 assists). Silva has also moved up to 10th all-time in career minutes played, passing former UVU GK Joseph Wheelwright.

UP NEXT

Utah Valley hosts preseason WAC favorite California Baptist for the penultimate game of the regular season on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. MDT and the match will be shown live on ESPN+.